Why I Can't Vote for McCain
[Several months after this post, I started to change my mind, in part because McCain started to change his campaign strategy and with it, his emphasis on certain points and certain issues. I'm all for giving candidates a second chance, especially one with the history and integrity that I sincerely believe John McCain has.]
McCain has made the Administration's standard line – "If you disagree with us, you support terrorists" – his own. Consider this email message I received moments ago from the Senator's campaign. (You can also read it on his campaign site.)
No, Senator, it's not the same. Debate and disagreement are not weakness. Retreat from one battlefield to focus on a different one is not surrender. To the contrary: It's how every military legend in the course of history has succeeded; how they've parsed the individual fights to win the larger war.
All of this bothers me. Tremendously. When my former Marine nephew, serving in Afghanistan, learned he couldn't rely on his own Senator to deliver news to his mom, it was McCain who made sure that news got through. When every other Republican Presidential candidate in '00 pandered to the theocrats, McCain stood up to them. When asked the torture question in the last R debate, McCain made the right call. He is a remarkable man of remarkable principle. But even as a newly committed Republican, I can't vote for McCain if he continues this bullheaded approach to the current situation in Iraq and continues to engage in divisive and inaccurate partisan slander.
Sadly, I know I'm not alone in those sentiments.
McCain has made the Administration's standard line – "If you disagree with us, you support terrorists" – his own. Consider this email message I received moments ago from the Senator's campaign. (You can also read it on his campaign site.)
This morning, U.S. Senator John McCain issued the following statement on Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senator Barack Obama's votes against emergency funding for our troops in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan:
"I was very disappointed to see Senator Obama and Senator Clinton embrace the policy of surrender by voting against funds to support our brave men and women fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"This vote may win favor with MoveOn and liberal primary voters, but it's the equivalent of waving a white flag to al Qaeda."
No, Senator, it's not the same. Debate and disagreement are not weakness. Retreat from one battlefield to focus on a different one is not surrender. To the contrary: It's how every military legend in the course of history has succeeded; how they've parsed the individual fights to win the larger war.
All of this bothers me. Tremendously. When my former Marine nephew, serving in Afghanistan, learned he couldn't rely on his own Senator to deliver news to his mom, it was McCain who made sure that news got through. When every other Republican Presidential candidate in '00 pandered to the theocrats, McCain stood up to them. When asked the torture question in the last R debate, McCain made the right call. He is a remarkable man of remarkable principle. But even as a newly committed Republican, I can't vote for McCain if he continues this bullheaded approach to the current situation in Iraq and continues to engage in divisive and inaccurate partisan slander.
Sadly, I know I'm not alone in those sentiments.
3 comments:
Nope, you're not alone. He was against them before he was for them.
He learned a lesson from Bush in the 2000 election. The lesson that you can't win the nomination without appealing to the Dobsons and Robertsons and Falwells. He was slimed in 2000 so he must slime now.
He really wants to lead this country but to win the nomination you don't have to be a leader, you have to be a politician who will do whatever it takes to go all the way to the right.
Senator John McCain’s voting record on military issues can be found at: Senator John McCain’s Voting Record
Senator John McCain’s history of speeches on the Iraq war can be found at: Senator John McCain’s Record of Speeches
Senator John McCain’s ratings from special interest groups on military issues can be found at: Senator John McCain’s Interest Group Ratings
Project Vote Smart produces the National Political Awareness Test (NPAT), which essentially asks each candidate “Are you willing to tell citizens your positions on the issues you will most likely face on their behalf?” You can find Senator John McCain’s responses to the NPAT at: Senator John McCain’s NPAT
For more information on Senator John McCain’s position on military issues please visit Project Vote Smart or call our hotline at 1-888-VOTE-SMART.
McCain made publicity hay with his "no torture" stance - then voted to torture. You like him - you can certainly have him.
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